Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro News

Young talents' debuts with the Red

Maranello, 30 November – Tomorrow will be a special day for Jules Bianchi. At Jerez de la Frontera, the young French driver will make his debut at the wheel of a Formula 1 car, driving a Ferrari F60. This will also mark his track debut as a Scuderia driver, as Jules is tied to the Maranello squad with a multi-year contract, confirming Ferrari’s commitment to young talent, a policy of which Felipe Massa is a prime example. Further and more far reaching initiatives will be established in the near future.

Jules is just twenty years old, but his track record is already pretty impressive: French Formula A karting champion in 2006, winner of the national Formula Renault title in 2007, third in the 2008 Formula 3 Euroseries and first in the Masters category at Zolder, winner of the Drivers’ and Teams’ championship with ART Grand Prix in this year’s Formula Euroseries. Racing is very much in the blood of the Bianchi family: his grandfather Mauro was a three time winner of the world title in the GT category, his great-uncle Lucien had several successes, including winning Le Mans in 1969 in a Ford and the 1962 12 Hours of Sebring with Ferrari, as well as competing in 19 Formula 1 Grands Prix.

We met up with Jules, when he was in Maranello recently to be briefed by his engineers ahead of the Jerez test.

How do you feel going into this test?

“I am more than happy! It is difficult for me to explain how I feel, but it is something special. I know this is the first step on a journey that could turn out very nicely, but I’m equally aware that there is still a long way to go to get to Formula 1. In fact, next year, I’m competing in GP2 with ART Grand Prix and that will be the series in which I have to prove my worth.”

What were your first impressions of Maranello?

“Before coming to the Gestione Sportiva, I had not yet realised just what this meant. I have to say it was an absolutely fantastic feeling, getting into the F60 cockpit to prepare for the Jerez test. I also had a go on the simulator to get my confidence up with the steering wheel and all its buttons and switches. It will be important for me to go well on track, to get to know the car and, step by step, to grow as a driver, thanks to the support of the team. Lap times definitely won’t count for much…”

Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?

“I hope to finish in the top three in GP2 and to have shown my talent so that I can move up still further. If things didn’t go that well, then it would be further motivation to do well the following year. One thing’s for sure, I’m not the sort to let adversity get me down.” Jules will drive the F60 for two days, before making way for three very young colleagues. As in 2008, Ferrari, in collaboration with the CSAI, will give the top three finishers in the Italian Formula 3 Championship – Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zipoli and the Mexican, Pablo Sanchez Lopez – the opportunity over the course of the day, to take turns at the wheel of the car that competed in this year’s Formula 1 world championship.

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Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro News

Massa and Schumacher: win for two in kart

Florianopolis, 29 November 2009 - A special weekend for Felipe Massa, back at racing after his long absence after his incredible accident in Budapest on 25 July. The Ferrari driver was the highlight at the "International Champion Challenge", the competition, which has been organised by Massa himself in Florianopolis, Brazil, for several years.

Felipe, third in the first race after a beautiful performance from the eleventh position on the grid, won the second race, held today afternoon, after he had gained the sixth starting position. After loosing two positions at the start the Ferrarista closed the gap and passed the leader, his fellow countryman Vitor Meira, on the last laps. Michael Schumacher crossed the line second in the first race, gaining the trophy with 42 points, thanks to the overall result from both races. Michael was ahead of Felipe (36 points) and Meira (26) in the overall standings.

"This was a fantastic event, maybe the most important kart event in the world," Felipe said after the race. "I demonstrated to be competitive like before the accident and that makes me happy. I think that if there were still any doubts, today I gave the answer. In the end I had a fierce fight with Michael, who was slightly faster, but I made it."

Schumacher dominated the event also in 2007 and could repeat his win today: "it was like in the old days, with Felipe and me on the highest places on the podium: I'm very happy and proud of him. It was a wonderful race and a beautiful day for all of us who took part."

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Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro News

Alonso discovers Ferrari

Maranello, 26 November 2009 - Two very intense days for Fernando Alonso at his second semi-official visit in Maranello. The Spanish driver arrived yesterday morning at the Scuderia, where he proceeded, together with the technicians, to get to know the team and next year's programme. With a little spare time yesterday and today Fernando had the possibility to visit the works, where the cars from the Prancing Horse, for the road and for Formula 1, are made as well as the Ferrari Classiche department, where, amongst others the single-seater from the 1954 Indianapolis race was present: the unexpected guest received a warmhearted welcome and numerous autograph requests. Before he left, Fernando drove several laps on the Fiorano circuit, first with a 458 Italia and then with a 599: for the red Formula 1 car we've still got to wait a bit!

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Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro News

Extreme Motorshow

Maranello, 22 November 2009 - In yesterdays' Solberg Extreme Motorshow an incredible variety of motorsport disciplines, such as drifting, rally, top fuel and - for the first time in its history - Formula 1 was presented at the spectacular event at Fornebu's Telenor Arena in Norway. Numerous drivers of international fame came to the football stadium where usually the home team Stabæk Fotball plays. The stadium was set up with a circuit for the occasion with a layer of tarmac for the different motorsport disciplines. The extraordinary event, organised by the former rally champions, the brothers Petter and Henning Solberg, offered the Norwegian spectators the possibility to admire a F2005, Schumacher's ex T-car, driven by Arne Fredly on the track, thanks to Maranello's F1 Clienti department.

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Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro News

Three days of tests for four young drivers

Maranello, 19 November 2009 - December will start with a unique Formula 1 test session - foreseen on the calendar between the 2009 season's conclusion and the start of the preparations for 2010 - exclusively for young drivers. The appointment for all the teams is set for 1 December at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Southern Spain. Ferrari will take a F60 to the track, driven on the first two days by the Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who recently won the Drivers' and Teams' titles in the Formula 3 Euroseries, while on 3 December, just like in 2008, the top three drivers in the Italian Formula 3 Championship - the Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zioli and the Mexican Pablo Sanchez Lopez - will take turns behind the wheel of the single-seater used by the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro in this year's championship.

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Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro News

Massa back on Granja Viana track

Granja Viana, 17 November 2009 – There’s no doubt that Felipe Massa wants to race again. After his flying visit in Valencia, where he sat again behind the wheel of “his” F60, for the first time after his accident at the Hungaroring, the Ferrarista flew immediately back to Sao Paulo, to be close to his wife Raffaela, who is expecting their child. But Massa didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get back onto the track, although it was just in a kart.

Therefore Felipe was at Granja Viana, where the first practice session of the 500-miles race bearing the same name, was on the agenda. The race will be held on 4 and 5 December. Massa practised with two of his teammates, Lucas di Grassi and Popò Bueno. The name of the third driver is still a mystery, as Massa confirmed: “There’s no rush at all. There’s still some time left and we’re studying several options.”

2010 FIA Formula One World Championship Race Calendar

1. 2010 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir) * 12 - 14 Mar

2. 2010 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne) * 25 - 28 Mar

3. 2010 Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix (Kuala Lumpur) * 02 - 04 Apr

4. 2010 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai) * 16 - 18 Apr

5. Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana 2010 (Catalunya) * 07 - 09 May

6. Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2010 (Monte Carlo) * 13 - 16 May

7. 2010 Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix (Istanbul) * 28 - 30 May

8. Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2010 (Montreal) * 11 - 13 Jun

9. 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe (Valencia) * 25 - 27 Jun

10. 2010 Formula 1 British Grand Prix (Donington Park) * 09 - 11 Jul

11. Formula 1 Grosser Preis von Deutschland 2010 (Hockenheim) * 23 - 25 Jul

12. Formula 1 ING Magyar Nagydij 2010 (Budapest) * 30 Jul - 01 Aug

13. 2010 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps) * 27 - 29 Aug

14. Formula 1 Gran Premio d'Italia 2010 (Monza) * 10 - 12 Sep

15. 2010 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore) * 24 - 26 Sep

16. 2010 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka) * 01 - 03 Oct

17. 2010 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix (Korea) * 15 - 17 Oct

18. 2010 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit) * 29 - 31 Oct

19. Formula 1 Grande Premio do Brasil 2010 (Sao Paulo) * 12 - 14 Nov

* Provisional

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2009 FIA Formula 1 World Championship Drivers

1. Jenson Button (British) Brawn-Mercedes Pts 95

2. Sebastian Vettel (German) RBR-Renault Pts 84

3. Rubens Barrichello (Brazilian) Brawn-Mercedes Pts 77

4. Mark Webber (Australian) RBR-Renault Pts 69.5

5. Lewis Hamilton (British) McLaren-Mercedes Pts 49

6. Kimi Räikkönen (Finnish) Ferrari Pts 48

7. Nico Rosberg (German) Williams-Toyota Pts 34.5

8. Jarno Trulli (Italian) Toyota Pts 32.5

9. Fernando Alonso (Spanish) Renault Pts 26

10. Timo Glock (German) Toyota Pts 24

11. Felipe Massa (Brazilian) Ferrari Pts 22

12. Heikki Kovalainen (Finnish) McLaren-Mercedes Pts 22

13. Nick Heidfeld (German) BMW Sauber Pts 19

14. Robert Kubica (Polish) BMW Sauber Pts 17

15. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italian) Ferrari Pts 8

16. Sebastien Buemi (Swiss) STR-Ferrari Pts 6

17. Adrian Sutil (German) Force India-Mercedes Pts 5

18. Kamui Kobayashi (Japanese) Toyota Pts 3

19. Sebastien Bourdais (French) STR-Ferrari Pts 2

20. Kazuki Nakajima (Japanese) Williams-Toyota Pts 0

21. Nelsinho Piquet (Brazilian) Renault Pts 0

22. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Italian) Force India-Mercedes Pts 0

23. Romain Grosjean (French) Renault Pts 0

24. Jaime Alguersuari (Spanish) STR-Ferrari Pts 0

25. Luca Badoer (Italian) Ferrari Pts 0 _____________________________________________________

2009 FIA Formula 1 World Championship Constructors

1. Brawn-Mercedes Pts 172

2. RBR-Renault Pts 153.5

3. McLaren-Mercedes Pts 71

4. Ferrari Pts 70

5. Toyota Pts 59.5

6. BMW Sauber Pts 36

7. Williams-Toyota Pts 34.5

8. Renault Pts 26

9. Force India-Mercedes Pts 13

10. STR-Ferrari Pts 8 _____________________________________________________

2009 FIA Formula One World Championship

1. Australia Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)

2. Malaysia Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)

3. China Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault)

4. Bahrain Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)

5. Spain Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)

6. Monaco Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)

7. Turkey Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)

8. Great Britain Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault)

9. Germany Mark Webber (RBR-Renault)

10. Hungary Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)

11. Europe Rubens Barrichello (Brawn-Mercedes)

12. Belgium Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)

13. Italy Rubens Barrichello (Brawn-Mercedes)

14. Singapore Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)

15. Japan Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault)

16. Brazil Mark Webber (RBR-Renault)

17. Abu Dhabi Sebastian Vettel (RBR-Renault)

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HALL OF FAME

FIA Formula One World Drivers Champions 1950 – 2009

Jenson Button (British) Brawn-Mercedes 2009

Lewis Hamilton (British) McLaren-Mercedes 2008

Kimi Räikkönen (Finnish) 2007

Fernando Alonso (Spanish) Renault 2005-2006

Michael Schumacher (German) Benetton-Ford, Benetton-Renault, Ferrari 1994-1995, 2000-2004

Mika Hakkinen (Finnish) McLaren-Mercedes 1998-1999

Jacques Villeneuve (Canadian) Williams-Renault 1997

Damon Hill (British) Williams-Renault 1996

Alain Prost (French) McLaren-TAG, McLaren- Honda, Williams-Renault 1985-1986, 1989, 1993

Nigel Mansell (British) Williams-Renault 1992

Ayrton Senna (Brazilian) McLaren-Honda, 1988, 1990-1991

Nelson Piquet (Brazilian) Brabham-Ford, Brabham-BMW, Williams-Honda 1981, 1983, 1987

Niki Lauda (Austrian) Ferrari, McLaren-TAG 1975, 1977, 1984

Keke Rosberg (Finnish) Williams-Ford 1982

Alan Jones (Australian) Williams-Ford 1980

Jody Scheckter (South African) (Ferrari) 1979

Mario Andretti (American) Lotus-Ford 1978

James Hunt (British) McLaren-Ford 1976

Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazilian) Lotus-Ford, McLaren-Ford 1972, 1974

Jackie Stewart (British) Matra-Ford, Tyrrell-Ford 1969, 1971, 1973

Jochen Rindt (Austrian) Lotus-Ford 1970

Graham Hill (British) BRM, Lotus-Ford 1962, 1968

Denny Hulme (New Zealander) Brabham-Repco 1967

Jack Brabham (Australian) Cooper-Climax, Brabham-Repco 1959-1960, 1966

Jim Clark (British) Lotus-Climax 1963, 1965

John Surtees (British) Ferrari 1964

Phil Hill (American) Ferrari 1961

Mike Hawthorn (British) Ferrari 1958

Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentinean) Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes, Ferrari 1951, 1954-1957

Alberto Ascari (Italian) Ferrari 1952-1953

Nino Farina (Italian) Alfa Romeo 1950